5th November 2019

Sex-selective abortion is among the extreme measures featured in a recently launched public consultation on the framework for the new Northern Ireland abortion regime.  SPUC is encouraging the people of Northern Ireland to speak up for unborn babies by responding to the consultation. SPUC has slammed the new abortion regime for Northern Ireland as "disgusting, dangerous and discriminatory".

The regime, as proposed in the consultation, is more extreme than the current existing abortion law in Scotland, England and Wales as it aims to impose abortion with ‘unrestricted access…available without conditionality’ which will permit abortions based on factors such as sex.

The proposed framework which is being consulted on includes:

• Unrestricted abortion access so that abortion is available un-conditionally until the 14^th week of pregnancy (section 9, page 14). This will permit sex-selective abortion on demand. There is no specific provision banning sex-selective abortion through 22 or 24 weeks.
• The removal of safeguards as no explanation is required describing why an abortion is being sought (section 9, page 14).
• No abortion time limit up to the point where a child is capable of being born alive (section 9, page 16).
• Abortion for disability should be available until birth with no limits (section 9, page 18).
• Abortion does not always need to take place in a medical setting (section 9, page 21).
• Healthcare professionals cannot object to participation in abortion under certain circumstances and so will be required to participate (section 9 page 26).
• Censorship zones banning pro-life vigils will be imposed (section 9, page 28).
• Those who participate in pro-life vigils will be prosecuted and punished (section 9, page 27).
• Implement compulsory education for children on abortion and monitor its implementation (section 9, page 32).

"The people of Northern Ireland are outraged"

SPUC Northern Ireland Political Officer, Liam Gibson said: "The people of Northern Ireland are outraged by this imposition of abortion on Northern Ireland which is disgusting, dangerous and discriminatory.

"This represents the greatest tragedy for unborn babies and women in Northern Ireland. 100,000 people in Northern Ireland are alive today because Northern Ireland did not accept the same abortion law that was introduced into Britain in 1967.

"Abortion is not healthcare. It is an act of lethal violence directed at an innocent child. By forcing abortion on demand on Northern Ireland, Westminster has ridden roughshod over the devolution settlement and is treating Northern Ireland as a colony".

How to respond to the consultation

The consultation will close at 11:45pm on 16 December 2019. To respond to the consultation and speak up for unborn babies please contact:

liamgibson@spuc.org.uk

02890233061